Young people with anti-social behaviour orders could be made to work in allotments, Boris Johnson's new food czar said today.

Former newspaper editor Rosie Boycott said the move would benefit the environment and give young people a sense of pride.

Ms Boycott has been appointed by the Mayor to chair the London Food Board, which aims to improve access to healthy, locally-produced and affordable food. She said she would also support local markets and encourage families to eat together.

"I want to advocate the use of allotments and growing our own food," she said. "We can lean on councils to release more land and kids on Asbos could be put to work on them. If you've grown your own food you feel prouder of it and appreciate it more. We also want to limit food waste and eat more locally. If everybody grows more of their own food we have a greener city and help climate change."

Ms Boycott, a former editor of the Independent on Sunday, has her own small organic farm and writes about the importance of food in improving health and in reducing the carbon emissions which cause climate change. She has also written a book about her experiences on her farm.

Mr Johnson said: "I am hugely excited that Rosie Boycott has agreed to chair the London Food Board and champion the provision of high-quality, nutritious food in the capital.

"Rosie is as passionate as I am about the importance of locally-produced, affordable food to our health and wellbeing as well as the role food can play in protecting our environment.

"Rosie is bursting with great ideas on how we can boost the level of top-notch food grown locally and support London's local, independent food industries and smaller shops."

Ms Boycott takes over the chair of the London Food Board from Green Party Assembly member Jenny Jones.